Trying to finish up this clutch replacement, but im having a little trouble mating the transmission back up to the bellhousing. It goes in but then stops about 1/2 inch from being installed. I know im not supposed to draw in in using the bolts, but i just cant for the life of me get it in!! Its very frustrating! Am i missing something?? I used the plastic alignment tool, and everything bolted up perfect. What could i be missing?? It seems as though it wont go into the new pilot bushing. Could i have installed the bushing incorrectly? When i put it in i hammered it in using a socket until it was flush with the case, is that correct? But there was still room behind it. Im doing the install in my garage on jackstands, so i assume that is the first problem. Anyone have a tip to make this easier? I tried pushing the clutch in but it didn't seem to work..

 

You have to work that bad unit like a **** star.
Gently work the trans tail shaft in circles of varying sizes till ya get the tip of the input shaft in the pilot bearing.
Who is pushing the clutch in while you work the trans? (waaay easier with a partner)
Is the trans in gear with a yoke in it so you can turn the inputshaft while wiggling it?
And make sure the trans is the same angle as the motor.

 

I had my dad push the clutch in while i was under wiggling it around. When he depressed the clutch the whole trans would move back and forth 0.0 Im not sure if its in gear or not. I might have left it in neutral when i pulled it out. Should it be in gear? I used the driveshaft to twist and turn the shaft, but it just wont slide in Im starting to think something is misaligned.

 

Nope, if your that far, your very close. Keep at it.

 

I used the bolts to pull mine in... I had the same issue. Everything worked perfectly when I finished it.

Then again, I didn't know it would have been easier if I had someone pushing the clutch in...

 

You are right about not using the bolts to "draw" it in: that's the straight route to broken parts.

Put it in as far as you can get it to go. Put the bolts in, HAND-TIGHT ONLY. Wiggle it around to get all 4 as tight as you can WITH FINGERS ONLY. Then, have your assistant push and hold the clutch, while you continue to wiggle it gently and turn the bolts in with your fingers. At some point, it will kinda suddenly just decide you've got it beat, and give up and go in.

 

Thanks everyone for you help, i got it back in!! Vroooooooooom vroooooom

 

Last question I promise: is there a break in procedure for the clutch? I want it to last!!

 

Some yes, some no. What do the clutch instructions say?

 

The instructions were pretty cryptic about that, it just says a burnt smell is normal, and if possible allow it to heat cycle once or twice, I assume that means dont shift at 5k right away

 

Drive it like you own it, not like you stole it... For a few days anyway!

 

Just so that when the next person with this question {gasp!!} does a search, and finds this thread, what did you do that finally beat it into submission?

 

Lots of cursing, lots of frustration, and then it just slid in easy. Not sure what i was doing wrong, but I tightened the bolts VERY carefully in a criss cross pattern while the clutch was depressed, and it just kinda slid in! Thanks again!

 

So I'm trying to finish up an Auto to T5 conversion. I'm having an issue where I can't hand tighten the bolts anymore and you guys have me worried. They get tight about 3/4 of an inch left. If I wiggle the trans around it does touch the bellhousing. Thinking about it now, It probably would've been a good idea to clean out the bellhousing holes with a tap.

Should I be worried? Thanks

 

Looks to me at that point, you are engaged into the pilot brg. I would gently wrench it in. It might have a minor interference with the BH/brg retainer pilot diameter. If some normal pressure on the wrenching doesn't do it, then maybe something else is amiss, but I'll bet it goes in with minimal pressure. You're probably already there anyway.

 

I was really worried for nothing...3 of the 4 bolts required minimal persuasion to snug up at times. The 4th went in by hand no problem.

 

Better to ask if you're unsure, then to cause yourself an extra heart-ache. Well done. I hope you're banging gears soon.

 

I made studs for mine about 1.5 inches long. Just cut the heads off some bolts so it will be there and supported and you can finess it in. Never try and clamp it in with the bolts.

usually mess up the pilot bearing doing that